We're reopening a thread to allow an ongoing Trump thread. This one will be more tightly moderated, with ground rules as follows:

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2. For big events, start a new thread;

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5. Don't use this thread for pot shots. Make sure whatever you're posting is worthy of discussion or debate.

TP Roy for starting up a new Trump thread. let's see how this one plays out.

when you say no "pot shots", is that just between the posters (which is always good policy) or are you saying we can't pot shot Trump for something he does --> let's say, looking up at the eclipse without special glasses until he's pressured into putting them on?

So Trump is heading to Phoenix today and there will be a bunch of different rallies going on both for and against the President. Among the topics he may bring up is granting a pardon to Joe Arpaio, a former sheriff and giant supporter of Trump's during his election campaigm who was found guilty of criminal contempt of court for violating a court order to not illegally detain undocumented immigrant workers.

Trump has hinted he may pardon him. I am not sure this is a good look for Trump because if he does it for Arpaio, he most likely would do it for people close to him that could be found guilty in the Russian matter. Just don't think its cool for friends, supporters, and colleagues of Trump to get a free pass for breaking laws because Trump likes them or because they supported/worked for Trump.

Now I am sure past Presidents probably of done just this thing, Republicans and Democrats alike. But I think its just wrong. They broke the law they should do their time.

So Trump is heading to Phoenix today and there will be a bunch of different rallies going on both for and against the President. Among the topics he may bring up is granting a pardon to Joe Arpaio, a former sheriff and giant supporter of Trump's during his election campaigm who was found guilty of criminal contempt of court for violating a court order to not illegally detain undocumented immigrant workers.

Trump has hinted he may pardon him. I am not sure this is a good look for Trump because if he does it for Arpaio, he most likely would do it for people close to him that could be found guilty in the Russian matter. Just don't think its cool for friends, supporters, and colleagues of Trump to get a free pass for breaking laws because Trump likes them or because they supported/worked for Trump.

Now I am sure past Presidents probably of done just this thing, Republicans and Democrats alike. But I think its just wrong. They broke the law they should do their time.

I posted about this in the locked thread. My feeling is that, more so than anything, the timing would be very bad for him to pardon Sheriff Arpaio now. Sheriff Arpaio was found in contempt for continuing to racially profile people. After Charlottesville and the uproar of how President Trump reacted I think pardoning the Sheriff now would be a political disaster.

So Trump is heading to Phoenix today and there will be a bunch of different rallies going on both for and against the President. Among the topics he may bring up is granting a pardon to Joe Arpaio, a former sheriff and giant supporter of Trump's during his election campaigm who was found guilty of criminal contempt of court for violating a court order to not illegally detain undocumented immigrant workers.

Trump has hinted he may pardon him. I am not sure this is a good look for Trump because if he does it for Arpaio, he most likely would do it for people close to him that could be found guilty in the Russian matter. Just don't think its cool for friends, supporters, and colleagues of Trump to get a free pass for breaking laws because Trump likes them or because they supported/worked for Trump.

Now I am sure past Presidents probably of done just this thing, Republicans and Democrats alike. But I think its just wrong. They broke the law they should do their time.

I posted about this in the locked thread. My feeling is that, more so than anything, the timing would be very bad for him to pardon Sheriff Arpaio now. Sheriff Arpaio was found in contempt for continuing to racially profile people. After Charlottesville and the uproar of how President Trump reacted I think pardoning the Sheriff now would be a political disaster.

We keep thinking everything will be a political disaster but it seems like this presidency is as resilient as a cockroach.....

So Trump is heading to Phoenix today and there will be a bunch of different rallies going on both for and against the President. Among the topics he may bring up is granting a pardon to Joe Arpaio, a former sheriff and giant supporter of Trump's during his election campaigm who was found guilty of criminal contempt of court for violating a court order to not illegally detain undocumented immigrant workers.

Trump has hinted he may pardon him. I am not sure this is a good look for Trump because if he does it for Arpaio, he most likely would do it for people close to him that could be found guilty in the Russian matter. Just don't think its cool for friends, supporters, and colleagues of Trump to get a free pass for breaking laws because Trump likes them or because they supported/worked for Trump.

Now I am sure past Presidents probably of done just this thing, Republicans and Democrats alike. But I think its just wrong. They broke the law they should do their time.

Yeah, almost all Presidents use the pardon power to score political points and/or to reward donors. I think it's distasteful myself. And yet, Jack Johnson can't get a posthumous pardon for some reason.

I think if Trump pardons Arpaio, it will be at a more politically convenient time.

Returning to the White House on Sunday night, President Donald Trump responded to reporters’ questions about the accident by saying: “That’s too bad.”

Strongly criticised on social media for his response, he later tweeted: "Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."==========================================================

Trump is an absolutely insensitive and clueless dolt. what grown adult would actually need to be told that "That's too bad" is an inappropriate response to that situation?

TP Roy for starting up a new Trump thread. let's see how this one plays out.

when you say no "pot shots", is that just between the posters (which is always good policy) or are you saying we can't pot shot Trump for something he does --> let's say, looking up at the eclipse without special glasses until he's pressured into putting them on?

I'd like to see criticism with substance. Sometimes open mocking of people can inflame their supporters, so I'd like to keep things as "high road" as possible. It's a lofty goal, especially when talking about somebody who goes low.

Just use your best discretion. If something is borderline we're probably going to cut you some slack.

Returning to the White House on Sunday night, President Donald Trump responded to reporters’ questions about the accident by saying: “That’s too bad.”

Strongly criticised on social media for his response, he later tweeted: "Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."==========================================================

Trump is an absolutely insensitive and clueless dolt. what grown adult would actually need to be told that "That's too bad" is an inappropriate response to that situation?

For a guy who has spent his entire life in business and television, you would think that he would have picked up some communication skills. This isn't a "Big Deal" to me, but it's amazing how often he is willing to weigh in on something without being briefed on it.

Returning to the White House on Sunday night, President Donald Trump responded to reporters’ questions about the accident by saying: “That’s too bad.”

Strongly criticised on social media for his response, he later tweeted: "Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."==========================================================

Trump is an absolutely insensitive and clueless dolt. what grown adult would actually need to be told that "That's too bad" is an inappropriate response to that situation?

For a guy who has spent his entire life in business and television, you would think that he would have picked up some communication skills. This isn't a "Big Deal" to me, but it's amazing how often he is willing to weigh in on something without being briefed on it.

one would think that just having reached 70 years old, Trump would have picked up some basics of human decency, particularly when it comes to knowing when to express sympathies and how to do so. This was not a political matter where he could play off being blunt or discourteous. This was a tragic incident that just called for some human compassion for the sailors and their families.

it's nothing on a scale of impacting how he runs his presidency or the country but I do think it speaks volumes about him as a person.

Returning to the White House on Sunday night, President Donald Trump responded to reporters’ questions about the accident by saying: “That’s too bad.”

Strongly criticised on social media for his response, he later tweeted: "Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."==========================================================

Trump is an absolutely insensitive and clueless dolt. what grown adult would actually need to be told that "That's too bad" is an inappropriate response to that situation?

For a guy who has spent his entire life in business and television, you would think that he would have picked up some communication skills. This isn't a "Big Deal" to me, but it's amazing how often he is willing to weigh in on something without being briefed on it.

Or go off script and just shoot from the hip. I think he has a couple of excellent guys behind him in Kelly and McMaster but he just doesn't listen or thinks he is smarter politically than they are.

Returning to the White House on Sunday night, President Donald Trump responded to reporters’ questions about the accident by saying: “That’s too bad.”

Strongly criticised on social media for his response, he later tweeted: "Thoughts & prayers are w/ our @USNavy sailors aboard the #USSJohnSMcCain where search & rescue efforts are underway."==========================================================

Trump is an absolutely insensitive and clueless dolt. what grown adult would actually need to be told that "That's too bad" is an inappropriate response to that situation?

For a guy who has spent his entire life in business and television, you would think that he would have picked up some communication skills. This isn't a "Big Deal" to me, but it's amazing how often he is willing to weigh in on something without being briefed on it.

Or go off script and just shoot from the hip. I think he has a couple of excellent guys behind him in Kelly and McMaster but he just doesn't listen or thinks he is smarter politically than they are.

I don't think he was ever savvy communications-wise, but at this point any skill he may have had seems tainted by dementia.